Monday, June 11, 2012

Blog Tour - Author Interview: Serenya's Song by Mystie Parker

Little Blurb about yourself:

First of all, thanks so much for having me here. It’s the first stop on my month-long blog tour!

Hmm, a little about myself: I divide my time between raising three crazy kids (4 if you count my husband), running a blog, and writing about the magic and mayhem of Tallenmere. I also do bi-monthly book reviews for SQ Mazazine, an online speculative fiction publication. When I’m not doing that, I’m reading for fun, grabbing a date night when I can, and sharing critiques with other writers.

To see the world where gods and monsters wreak havoc, while ill-fated couples battle unspeakable forces to find true love, read my Tallenmere fantasy romance series, starting with Book One, A Ranger's Tale.

1. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?

I’ll give the first credit to my grandmother, who taught me to read when I was three. Then, my mother, who encouraged me with mantras like, “Can’t never could do anything.”

Later on, stories like “The Hobbit” kindled my love of fantasy. I had a little record of it that went along with the book and wore that baby out! I’ll have to say “Jane Eyre” hooked me on romance.

Besides lots of poetry when I was a teen, I didn’t write much for fun until 2009, when the ideas for a fantasy world of my own started to solidify.

2. How long did it take you to write Serenya’s Song?

It took me a little over a year from first draft to the final edit.

3. While writing, how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?

Well, with both A Ranger’s Tale and Serenya’s Song, I went back once to do a major plot renovation. From there, it just depended on how the story evolved, with lots of big and little tweaks along the way until I got them where I wanted them.

4. You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?

To the coffee shop, of course! If my kids are with me, it’s the bargain books, the kids section, and if I get them interested in something, I sneak over to the romance and new release sections.

5. How many books in a month do you tend to read?

Not nearly enough. My reading pace is snail. But I average two.

6. In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?

I have to say Jim Qwilleran from Lillian Jackson Braun’s “The Cat Who…” series. Oh, and his cats, Koko, Yum-Yum. I read so many of the books, they became like family to me. I loved Qwilleran’s ex-journalist skepticism and his split personality. One minute, he’s this very tall, imposing giant of a man, and the next, he’s fussing over his cats, calling Yum-Yum his “sweetheart”. Koko, of course, is this genius feline who points out the right clues at the right time so Jim can solve the latest mystery in Pickax, the town “four-hundred miles north of everywhere”.

7. State 5 random facts about yourself.

1. I’m a chocoholic, but picky about my chocolate. None of that cheap, waxy crap, thank you. Hershey’s will do in a pinch, but I’d rather have Godiva.
2. I’m a cat lover. Dogs are ok, but I prefer small ones over large.
3. I hate liver and dislike licorice.
4. I peel the crusts off my bread.
5. Once, during college, I sold hot dogs in front of the Oscar Meyer wiener truck.

8. Your favorite Genre?

Romance—Spicy and not TOO erotic is my favorite, but I read all across the board.

“Jane Eyre” continues to be at the top of the list, but I’ve loved so many since, it’s hard to say.

11. Any new projects coming up?

Yep. Book Three of my series is underway, not as quickly as I’d like, but it involves dragons and ill-fated lovers. I suppose it deserves some time to marinade and evolve into something splendid. Dragons don’t mature overnight, you know!

Serenya’s Song is a second chance love story. For both Serenya Barnaby-Crowe and Jayden Ravenwing, fate has dealt them a lousy hand when it comes to love. They meet in the small town of Summerwind, to discover they are perfect for each other, but fate once again plays a cruel turn—Serenya’s still married and Jayden is mourning the failure of his own marriage back in Leogard. Even crueler still is the emerging identity of who Serenya really is—her very existence may result in the end of the world, and Jayden will have to make the most difficult choices of his life.

Anyone who reads this story will be rooting for these two from page one, because it’s SO obvious they are meant to be together. But, their journey is fraught with one challenge after another, and soon, you’ll be biting your nails as you discover the terrible secrets that are keeping them apart.

By the climax, you’ll just know it won’t end well, but hang on to your seats, because it ain’t over yet!

A very good interview, Mysti. Your first two books were a pleasurable blend of fantasy and romance. I'm looking forward to the next book and watching how you pluck out two minor characters and bring their stories to life.

Thank you for taking the time to share with us today. I am looking forward to the tour and wish you all the best with the release of Serenya's Song, it certainly sounds like an interesting read and I am eager to learn more :)

Awesome interview, Mysti! I loved Jane Eyre too. My mom sat me down and made me read it. I grumbled because I wanted to read more Stephen King, but after awhile, I became so engrossed in Jane Eyre, I couldn't put it down!

Thanks so much, Judy! She died when I was 14 from Alzheimer's, but was such an influential person in my early years. She wrote the abc's and 123's in the front and back covers of an old coloring book when she taught me to read. I found it a few years ago and was thrilled!

Mysti,I was interested to see that the genre you read is not the genre you write. This is true of me too, and i've felt a little odd about it. I wonder how many writers this is true of?BTW, as you've heard... great job with the interview.